Intentionally Offside: Subban, Leafs, Linden & Season Predictions

I understand that salary arbitration is about low balling and high balling, but I have to lean more to PK's price of $8.5 million rather than the Habs $5.25 million. PK did the right thing two seasons ago and took a lower contract when the Canadiens wanted him to prove himself. In my opinion, he has done just that and more and deserves to be paid in the Drew Doughty ballpark and is definitely more than worthy of the Dion Phaneuf dollars, a whole lot more worthy.

Speaking of the Leafs, it will be interesting to see how their moves and non moves this off season pan out. I don't like the idea of bringing James Reimer back. I think it was more than proven what this type of goaltending situation can do to a team, just ask the Vancouver Canucks. I also think that Jake Gardiner should have been put on a deal similar to the aforementioned Subban deal of 2 seasons ago. I like him, but let him prove himself for a couple of more years and then pay him the money if he deserves it.

Still with contracts, I believe it is the salary cap floor and not the limit that is the problem. Some teams need to overpay the Line 3 and 4 players just to reach it, which in turn drives the value of your top 6 through the roof.

I also see the trend that a lot of the players who sign for more than 5 years are usually bought out or traded by year 3.

I agree with Trevor Linden when he says that a clean hard hit should not lead to a fight. However, the difference between a clean and dirty hit these days is getting harder to determine and I do believe that fighting still does have a place in the NHL.

I think if the Leafs do not have at least an 8-4 start to the year, Randy Carlyle could be voted off the island.

Once again, Garth Snow baffles me by signing Grabovski and Kulemin to inflated deals, but can't lure Matt Moulson back to play with John Tavares and reignite the chemistry they had as linemates. Mike Milbury has a serious challenger for worst GM in franchise history, but Garth still has a ways to go to catch Mad Mike yet.

Brad Richards will show the Hawks he still has lots of game left, could be the steal of July 1st.

Ryan Kesler will haunt the Canucks this season, I never liked stars being traded within their division.

My 2015 Predictions

Jonathan Drouin will win the Calder Trophy, but Aaron Ekblad will be close.

The Florida Panthers will make the playoffs.

Jamie Benn will score 50 goals to go with Tyler Seguin's first 100 point season.

Detroit will not make the playoffs, sorry Bryan Yates.

Colorado will win the Wild West, but will be in tough against the Hawks, Kings and Ducks.

New Jersey will go to the the Conference final in the East but will lose to the Bruins.

Scoring will rise. Getzlaf, Seguin, Giroux and Malkin will join Sid in the Century Club.

The Toronto Maple Leafs will disappoint their fans, but they're used to it.

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